What is the minimum number of members that can be on a grand jury?

The minimum number of members that can be on a grand jury is 12. This requirement is established by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects individuals against self-incrimination and guarantees that serious criminal charges must be presented to a grand jury.

The significance of having at least 12 members is rooted in the need for a sufficient number of jurors to ensure a fair and equitable process. The 12-member standard helps to balance the perspectives of different jurors, providing a more comprehensive view of the evidence presented. In federal cases, a grand jury typically consists of 16 to 23 members, but for a grand jury to be valid and to issue indictments, there must be a minimum of 12 jurors participating in this decision-making process.

The other options do not meet the constitutional benchmark, as having fewer than 12 could raise concerns about the reliability and integrity of the verdict in serious criminal matters.